Tenerife Launches Inquiry Into Chemical Spill at Punta Brava Water Plant

Tenerife’s water management is under investigation following a spill at the Punta Brava plant in Puerto de la Cruz. The Island Water Council (CIAT) has launched a formal inquiry into the leak, which reportedly involved 1,000 liters of a mixture containing 25% ferric chloride and 75% water.

The incident has raised concerns about the security of critical infrastructure and the oversight provided by the companies that manage it. Under its sanctioning regulations, the CIAT has ordered Aqualia, the firm responsible for the plant’s operation and maintenance, to provide all technical documentation, safety records, and environmental compliance reports. Authorities are currently working to determine if the substance entered the rainwater drainage system, which could pose a significant threat to the local marine environment. Reports on this remain conflicting.

The investigation is ongoing, with officials considering several possibilities, including technical failure, human error, or potential sabotage. Aqualia has suggested that the spill may have been caused by external tampering with the piping. Local police and the Civil Guard’s environmental unit (Seprona) have inspected the site to help clarify the cause.

The Cabildo de Tenerife maintains that, regardless of the cause, Aqualia is ultimately responsible for the plant’s security. The island administration stated that it will not reach a final conclusion until all technical reports and water samples have been fully analyzed. If the investigation finds evidence of negligence or a failure to follow safety protocols, the CIAT has promised to hold the company accountable and enforce measures to ensure such an incident does not happen again.